Knobsticks - Winter 2020

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

KNOBSTICKS

Winter 2020

Socially-distanced volunteers resumed working on the Cheshire Locks in August [mini-report on Back Cover] Photos: John Lawson

Editorial

Another very full issue. No room for a proper report & photo about the Victoria Cup which is awarded annually to an IWA West Midlands Region member who has given outstanding service to the IWA in the previous year.

This year it was presented to Neil Barnett by Helen Whitehouse on Wednesday 19th August at Wolsley Bridge Garden Centre (as Lichfield branch's picnic had to adjourn there because of bad weather!).

Social Scene We have held no socials since the previous edition of Knobsticks was published, due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. In September, our branch committee discussed our 2020/2021 social programme and decided that, as we were unlikely to be able to hold ‘real’ meetings safely for some time, it would be best to cancel our gatherings for the entire season and, hopefully, resume in autumn 2021. This proved to be a wise move, with England now (as of 1st November) about to enter a month-long national lockdown.

online October social via Zoom, with Steve Wood sharing a selection of historic photographs of the Trent and Mersey Canal from a variety of original sources.

From the Steel Lock at Thurlwood, through Shelton Bar and a roofed-over Etruria top lock, to steam on the Stoke to Leek line (viewed from beside the Caldon Canal), we were treated to an intriguing journey back in time.

We were delighted that so many people could join us for this presentation, though we appreciate that video conferencing is not something all our members can I have contacted our confirmed take part in, for a variety of speakers to - provisionally - reasons. Hopefully, one day, Steve rebook them all to join us a year will be able to share it with us in later than originally planned. person, at the Boat Club.

Although we have missed our face -to-face socials and committee meetings, both have carried on to some extent thanks to the existence of video conferencing technology. After a fairly small turnout for our online AGM in September, we organised an Page 2

If you can join us online, look out for the joining instructions for our next evening with Steve on December 11th at 8pm, when we will be exploring more of the Caldon Canal. I’m sure we’re in for a treat.

Sarah Honeysett KNOBSTICKS

Deputy Chairman’s Report

Mersey Canal and the start of the journey along the Caldon Canal.

Do join us for the next sessions; on Friday 11th December where we will enjoy some more archive photos, this time heading further along the Caldon Canal down the Churnet Valley, and then onto the Uttoxeter Canal on Friday 12th February.

A reminder – if you have an email address and access to a computer, but didn’t receive an invitation to take part in these events, do let the membership team at Chesham know your correct email address to ensure that you receive It was great to see, and talk to, future invitations. You can some branch members via our contact them by emailing computer screens recently, at the membership@waterways.org.uk delayed branch AGM (September) and then the archive photo The bi-monthly pattern of session (October). Both took place meetings will continue with the

by Zoom video meeting.

Branch 2021 AGM being held on Friday 9th April.

Before and after the business of the AGM, Steve Wood shared It was great to actually get out on some archive photos of waterways the local waterways for the one in the branch area. This went event of the year that we’ve been down so well that we have able to hold, while conditions decided (as you will see elsewhere allowed it. The branch joined in this issue of Knobsticks) to Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust repeat that as a way of keeping in in running a self guided walk and touch with branch members while open heritage day as part of the meeting up in person continues to Open Heritage Weekend in be impossible. The first session September. Despite the social took place in October when Steve distancing restrictions it was a showed us photos of the Trent & very successful event which I’m Winter 2020

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Deputy Chairman’s Report

sure we will repeat next year.

All other activity has been taking place by video meetings, including monthly branch committee meetings, and a recent Canal & River Trust West Midlands user forum. CRT North West haven’t held a similar event yet, but branch members were invited to join an IWA North West Region webinar where CRT CEO Richard Parry and North West Region Director Daniel Greenhalgh gave update on a national perspective and issues in that CRT Region, with both events being very informative.

If attending physical committee meetings has put you off joining the branch committee in the past, why not dip your toe in now while we are meeting by video, and see if there is anything you would like to get involved with. We have a number of vacant roles on the committee at the moment, and would welcome volunteers to get involved with monitoring heritage issues and planning applications, and helping with our fundraising and sales activities for next year, so do get in touch if you would like to get involved.

Alison Smedley Deputy Branch Chairman

Branch AGM Notice Notice is hereby given that the 47th Annual General Meeting of the North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch of The Inland Waterways Association will be held on: Friday 9th April 2021 at 7.45 for 8.00 pm The meeting will take place by video conference unless face to face meetings are feasible by then – this will be confirmed definitely in the next issue of Knobsticks.

AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence 2. Approval of the minutes of the last AGM and any matters arising from these minutes.

3. Report from the Deputy Branch Chairman 4. Financial Report from the Branch Treasurer 5. Election of members of the Committee 6. Any resolutions requested by members of the Branch notified to the Branch Secretary in writing at least six weeks prior to the AGM. NOMINATIONS for the BRANCH COMMITTEE Committee members, including those current committee members reaching the end of their 3 year term and wishing to seek re-election, will be elected from the floor at the AGM for a term of 3 years. We welcome any branch member who is interested in joining the committee.

The AGM will be followed by the sharing of some archive photos of waterways in the branch area. If you have any photos of local waterways that you would like to share please contact Alison Smedley.

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KNOBSTICKS

Open Heritage on the Uttoxeter Canal

Branch volunteers helped run a heritage open day and self-guided walk on the Uttoxeter Canal, jointly with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, as part of Open Heritage week on Sunday 13th September. The warm sunny day encouraged nearly 100 people to turn out during the afternoon event to learn more about the Uttoxeter Canal, and for many people to discover it for the first time. The open day was able to be run in a Covid-secure way, with volunteers positioned at key locations between Denstone and Alton. They were able to talk to the visitors, from a safe distance, about the history of the canal and the work that has taken place in recent years, as well as future projects and plans. Visitors arrived on foot in their own small groups following signage and a route description which was available online. Along the route Winter 2020

were additional displays about current projects and future aspirations. Volunteers from the Lichfield Waterworks Trust were also present with an information display and to give tours inside Crumpwood pumping station which is close to where the Uttoxeter Canal locked down into and crossed the River Churnet above Crumpwood Weir, and the site of a recent Environment Agency fish pass project.

Thanks to all the volunteers from IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust who helped out, as well as the volunteers from the Lichfield Waterworks Trust who were there to talk about the pumping station, and everyone who came along on the self-guided walk route.

Alison Smedley Page 5

Lockdown Livaboard

Steve working from Home during Lockdown I’ve lived afloat as a continuous cruiser for just over 20 years, having moved onto the converted working boat Bream in December 1999. This is the first part of my lockdown diary.

22nd March For many people finding space for a home office wouldn’t be too difficult. On the boat it means a complete reorganisation of my main living space. After a couple of hours juggling things around I have found a way to shoehorn in all the equipment I’ve borrowed.

The dining table now has 2 monitors, 2 laptops, a thermal label printer and assorted other devices.

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Steve’s new onboard office KNOBSTICKS

Lockdown Livaboard

29th March A few days into lockdown, there are rumours that roads may be closed on country borders. As a contractor to a transport company I’ve been issued with a “key worker” letter but it is a complexity I’d rather avoid if I can. I’ve been moored near to Cheswardine on the Shroppie for some time while work was done on my boat, but this is not the right place to lockdown, so I’ve quickly thrown the engine back together and we’ll have to pick up the jobs another time. I need to get to the office in Cannock and to Stoke once a week, so that I can shop for my Mum, who is shielding.

Having looked first at Stone and Great Haywood which are already heaving with boats moored fender to fender I’ve settled on moving to a spot just south of Handsacre. It meets my criteria of being in Staffordshire, and on the same pound as a water point. It is also rural which appeals as I want to avoid unnecessary contact and have a place to leave the car, close to the boat.

4th April I’ve moved the boat but still need to retrieve my car. Given all the advice, using public transport feels rather odd but has to be done. I walked to Rugeley station, caught a train to Stafford, bus to Newport and walked the last 7 Winter 2020

miles. Newport was strangely quiet, with queues outside shops, something I’d not seen before.

There is talk of red diesel being in short supply. I stopped at Wheaton Aston on my way through and filled both tanks and my two drums. I’ve ordered 4 more drums online, just in case I need to stockpile fuel.

7th April I’ve arrived at bridge 56 on the T&M, my home for the next few months. It really is a lovely spot; one I’ve moored at several times before. Moving boats are becoming a rarity. Maybe one a day, maybe none. Seeing anyone is an excuse for a conversation.

Everyone is a liveaboard, all trying to get closer to either work, family or their preferred mooring.

I’ve never seen the towpath so busy. Barely a minute from dawn to dusk without at least one group of walkers, taking their daily exercise. Some are becoming familiar friendly faces, others simply don’t grasp that the boat is someone’s home. Today I had to remove a group of four who decided it would be nice to sit on the bow of the boat and drink beer. They took great exception when I was unhappy with this and very grumpily moved to the towpath!

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Lockdown Livaboard

days. Must be all the tea I’m drinking! Either that or the extra washing up.

18th April I’ve got a routine now. Saturday morning means the weekly trip to Sainsburys in Stoke, then to Mum’s and back home with shopping. Such a simple task has brought a new challenge. I have a tiny fridge and normally shop for fresh food every 2 or 3 days. Food for a week needs a creative approach to fresh and packed/ tinned food, careful thought to what will fit into the fridge, and what doesn’t actually need to go into there even if it has done so in the past. Eggs, tomatoes, unopened orange juice, bags of salad all survive happily in a cool bag for a few days until there is space.

Getting water is a four-hour round trip, winding at Kings Bromley and in Rugeley. Every time you see the same boats maybe in different positions or on the move doing the same thing and wonder if your spot will have been pinched when you get back.

That weekly trip is also an excuse to see people, not only walkers but a good friend and work colleague who lives in Handsacre and who with her son usually comes out for the afternoon. A few hours chatting, with a glass or two of wine, makes the week in between a lot more bearable.

All other services, fuel, rubbish and sewage are all dealt with by car. Thetford cassettes are a godsend in lockdown! A midweek evening trip to Fradley (services) is a rather odd excuse for the brief change of scene.

The supplier has said they are out of stock of plastic drums due to extraordinary demand.

Back online to find some more.

Ordered 4 from a company in Saturday or Sunday afternoons Liverpool. also mean a trip to the water point. In normal times I only need 12th May to fill the water once a fortnight. As it turns out I’m not needed in I’m now using a full tank in 8 or 9 the office much, we’re all getting Page 8

KNOBSTICKS

Lockdown Livaboard

into Zoom and Skype. I’m glad I moved to an unlimited data mobile contract – I’ve used 550Gb of data in a month! It seems that I have one of the fastest connections of our group.

Mobile data has certainly improved over recent years.

I’m getting quite into video streamed concerts as an evening distraction. So many artists I follow are playing shows from their homes, in Leicester, Canterbury, Wales and even Norway, live streamed to the T&M. This lockdown definitely has its upsides.

I can’t get deliveries to the boat as I have no address, so the plastic drums have instead been sent to the office. The Wine Fairy (so named after a surprise midweek visit) has dropped them off. The drums are not as described, no “anti-glug” spout after all, and I’d paid extra for that. The supplier agrees to give me some of my money back, admitting the ones I ordered were out of stock. Sounds familiar. I’ll still use them but can only fill to 15 litres without them making a mess when poured.

Long days at a makeshift desk are taking their toll and my back is complaining. I’m now using a swivel chair rather than a dining chair so I can sit at the right Winter 2020

height. That’s an interesting thing to keep on a moving boat! I’ve also adjusted the monitors to eye level.

15th May I did a Zoom talk about the Uttoxeter Canal last night. I went into the office so that I had access to reliable fast wi-fi. It’s still pretty good on the boat, but I didn’t want to risk it failing.

Needless to say, the technology played up and I would have been better staying home. Ah well, lesson learned.

Meanwhile, the word is out.

People can visit their boats and day trip, but not stay overnight on them. I think half of Kings Bromley Marina has been past today! OK maybe not quite that but after weeks with no more than two boats a day and often none at all, it’s very odd to see over 30 in a day. I’m keeping my head down for now and we’ll see what happens next.

Steve Wood Page 9

Refurbished Middlewich Dry-Dock

On the morning of Monday 3rd August 2020, the newly refurbished dry-dock and workshop in Middlewich, between Locks 72 and 73, hosted its first narrowboat ‘customer’. The historic drydock, converted from a canal arm which once ran to Seddon’s Amans Salt Works, had been disused for some years but was formerly used by Willow Wren (Kearns) Ltd.

begun last autumn, only to be delayed by persistent flooding at Steve’s old base on the River Weaver, then the Covid-19 crisis.

Boat-painter and new tenant of the dry dock, Steve Wallace, eased our 45ft narrowboat Uplander II into position for the final tranche of work to the boat which had Page 10

KNOBSTICKS

Refurbished Middlewich Dry-Dock

All that remained was to black the hull and fit a slightly larger propeller – a recommendation from Steve’s colleague David Sheen who, with son Joe, had assisted in upgrading the new premises.

Just over one month later, Uplander II was back at our home wharf at Kidsgrove via the long route from Middlewich; the Wardle Canal, Middlewich Arm and the Shroppie Main Line to Autherley Junction, Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Great Haywood, and finally Trent and Mersey back to Kidsgrove.

How much of Steve’s work to the hull survived our encounters with the by-washes of the Audlem and Tyrley locks is debatable, however!

Jon and Sarah Honeysett

Special offers In-store bakery Food-to-go Hot and cold drinks Groceries Newspapers

Lotto Paypoint Payzone Free ATM Fresh fruit and veg Household and pet food A great range of beers, wines and spirits Open Mon-Sat 7am-9pm, Sun 7.30am-8pm

Less than 10 minutes from bridges 14 and 15 of the Caldon Canal

8-10 Diana Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6RS. Tel 01782 263936 Visit our website www.londis.co.uk.

Find us on Facebook - Londis Birches Head Winter 2020

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Social Programme

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

All of this season’s social programme at Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club has been cancelled because of Covid-19 It is hoped that we will be able to book the same speakers for our 2021-22 season Instead, we are holding occasional archive photo social evening by Zoom video (i.e. on-line, NOT at the boat club) Future dates planned are: Friday 11th December Archive photos of the Caldon Canal Presented by Steve Wood.

Friday 12th February Archive photos of the Uttoxeter Canal If you want Sarah to email you with guidance on how to take part and make the session work as well as possible for everyone involved, then please ensure IWA has your email address.

For further information contact: Sarah Honeysett (01782 772295) socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk or visit the branch webpages at: www.waterways.org.uk Page 12

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Christmas Quiz

As we won’t be having an Annual Dinner complete with quizzes, here’s a quiz from Anne Chetwyn for everybody to answer at home.

A _ _ _ _ _ This comes before Christmas (6) B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ One of the three Magi (9) C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The Jokes in these are terrible (8) D _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ “Merrily on High” (4 - 4) E _ _ _ _ _ Typically drunk a this time of year (6) F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ NOT a usual gift (12) G _ _ _ Much more usual as a gift (4) H _ _ _ _ Much used in Christmas decorations (5) I _ _ _ _ It’s on the Cake (5) J _ _ _ _ It’s in the Trifle (5) K _ _ _ _ _ When you start getting fed up with all the festive preparations PUT THIS ON ! (6) L _ _ _ _ _ Lots of these to be written and attached (6) M _ _ _ _ Another unusual gift (5) N _ _ _ _ _ A type of spruce tree (6) O _ _ _ _ Instrument featuring heavily in carols and hymns (5) P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Plant seen a lot a Christmas (10) Q _ _ _ _ _ _ _ You are in one of these when you don’t know what to buy someone (8) R _ _ _ _ This little chap features a lot at this time of year (5) S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Can be thrown, eaten or drunk ! (9) T _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Posh chocolates ! (8) U _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Done on Christmas morning (10) V _ _ _ _ _ _ The “baddie” in the Panto ! (7) W _ _ _ _ _ _ _ People either tend to “love or hate” this aspect of giving gifts (8) X - _ _ _ You might need one of these if you swallow the coin from the pudding (1 - 3) Y _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The Christmas Period (8) Z _ _ _ _ It’s black and white, and as far as I know, has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas !! (5) O.K.! Seriously … … … ...

Z _ _ _ Orange or Lemon (used in Christmas cake) (4) See bottom of page 20 for Anne’s answers (upside down!)

Winter 2020

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IWA West Midlands Region Chairman ’s Report

In this world of the “new normal” much has changed for all of us but there are also opportunities. Last month, IWA’s national AGM was held as a Zoom electronic meeting giving many people the opportunity to attend without having to move outside their own homes.

This was an ideal way to see and hear the IWA Trustees including the five new ones who, in a departure from the norm, have been appointed rather than elected by the members. This method was a one-off occurrence designed to plug skills gaps in the Trustee board. Each Trustee is legally responsible to ensure that Governance of the IWA is consistent with both charity and company law.

In future years, I anticipate that prospective Trustees will be screened to ensure that they have the necessary skills and then their names and CV’s will be presented to the members for the due election process to take place.

Those who attended our on-line AGM cannot fail to have been impressed by the quality of our newly appointed Trustees.

At the last region meeting, the branches agreed to invite all members of the region to their on -line meetings. I hope that you are able to join in and take advantage of this great opportunity. I Page 14

recently attended a very interesting Warwickshire branch meeting and found it wonderful not to have to drive from Lichfield to the far side of Coventry to do so!

The new IWA website is now live after 2 years of gestation. It looks very different from the old website and has been designed to work better on mobile phones and to aid recruitment. There is much work yet to do on the website and the staff team based at Chesham (and also working from home) are still working long hours in order to get everything functioning satisfactorily.

Various parts of the organisation are waiting for their wish lists to come to fruition and it will be exciting to see how things develop over the next few months. I am confident that a way will be found to make the historic branch pages, fully and easily accessible to members; rest assured, I have checked and they are currently in a “safe place”! Do take a look at the new website and let us have feedback. What do you like or dislike and what, if anything, do you think could be improved? It is still a work in progress.

I should also like to take this opportunity to appeal for someone to take the minutes at the region committee’s meetings. We KNOBSTICKS

IWA West Midlands Region Chairman ’s Report

meet about 4 times a year, currently on Zoom so would need our minute taker to have computer skills and a good broadband link. It is an ideal way to find out what is going on in our region. My email address is at the bottom of this page. Keep well!

Helen Whitehouse

£10.00 for two, if ordered directly from Helen. Currently only the blue one is available from the website (and no multi-buy discount!)

This face mask is designed to aid defence against the spread of infection. It is made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane and is comfortable to wear. It is not a medical or clinical face mask and so should not be used where infection levels are high.

If you are representing IWA at any face to face meetings (or are just out and about on the canals) and are unable to fully socially distance, here is your answer!

They are available in royal blue or Wash before use. It will wash in a red embroidered with the IWA machine at up to 60 degrees logo. £5.50 for one mask or centigrade. Do not tumble dry.

To order email Helen at: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk Winter 2020

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Have you seen the Denford Dragon?

I’m writing to ask for people’s If you have any information memories or information about please email me: the Denford Dragon! peter.smedley@waterways.org.uk This is the group of trees on the Peter Smedley hill opposite the Holly Bush pub, (Web and Social Media Officer) at Denford on the Caldon Canal, which look a bit like a dragon Editor: We think that we have climbing up on to the brow of the identified the right clump, seen hill. in photos by Alison Smedley from 2011 (above) and 2020 (below).

I’ve heard that this has been known as the Denford Dragon Over to you for memories and going back to the early 20th more information please! century at least, and I would like to know more about the history of it. Does anyone know when it was first called the Denford Dragon?

Does anyone have any photos of it from years ago, as it doesn’t look all that much like a dragon now, compared to even 20 years ago when my parents first moved to the area. And which clump of trees even is the Denford Dragon!?

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

Continuing Sonning and friends’ adventures on the River Weaver.

After leaving the Anderton Lift, the bears and their human guardians cruised upstream to Northwich, to do some food shopping.

On the way there, Sonning rummaged about in Polar's box of scraps where he found what was left of the "Bag for Life" that had been used to make his lifejacket.

‘If we leave this out where Polar can see it, I'm sure she will make some for you’, he said. And she did! Soon, the smaller bears had life-jackets too.

Weaver. ‘You can see the little cabin for the bridge-keeper if there's a high-masted yacht or big boat wanting to go through’ human guardian Polar told them.

‘Pressing the buttons to open and close the bridges would be a brilliant job for small bears’, said Hanley.

The following day, they cruised back downstream, past the boat lift. Soon they were cruising along through a lovely, wooded valley.

The river was very calm but all the crew put their lifejackets on, humans and bears alike. ‘I wonder if the locks on the Weaver are as big as the ones on the Thames you've told us about?’

Hanley said to Sonning, as they approached Saltersford Lock. ‘I think it's even bigger!’ he said.

The bears were fascinated by the big swing bridges over the Winter 2020

Page 17

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

The lock keeper at Saltersford The bears and their human Lock warned Polar and Grizzly to guardians spent a couple more look out for dredging boats, days exploring the Weaver. making the river deep enough for a very special boat.

Most of the route was through Near Acton Bridge, the bears saw tranquil woodland and fields but, the boat in question – the Daniel as they got closer to Runcorn, Adamson. they saw chemical works and then the lock leading out onto the Manchester Ship Canal.

On the way back to the Anderton ‘Wouldn't it be fun to go aboard Lift they moored one evening at that boat for a look around?’ said Acton Bridge, where the bears Hanley. Endon and Sonning had seen the steamer. agreed, but their boat didn’t stop.

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KNOBSTICKS

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

After giving the bears their tea, their human guardians went ashore to have a meal. While they were away, the bears decided to take a closer look at the steam tug. Although it was closed to human visitors it was easy for small bears to crawl under the barrier and scurry up the gangplank onto the deck. Suddenly, someone asked, ‘Where are your tickets, little bears?’ There was another bear on board! He was quite grubby with coal dust, but he looked cheerful.

‘We don't have any’, Sonning explained. ‘We've come here by narrow boat’. ‘Other boat bears are always welcome on The Danny’, said the sooty bear. He introduced himself as Fireman Sam. ‘Come and see my engines!’ he said proudly. ‘My human crew have lit them, as we are having a cruise on Saturday and they take two days to warm up properly, but I will be looking after them tonight’. Sonning, Hanley and Endon carefully climbed down some metal steps. It was very hot Winter 2020

and dirty in the engine room and they found the huge fires under the boilers very scary.

Sam showed them how the bears and humans kept everything in good working order. ‘Now clean your paws and I'll take you up to see the bridge’, said Sam. ‘We saw the bridge when we moored’, said Endon. ‘It's that big black and white thing the cars drive over’. ‘I mean the bridge of the ship’, said Sam.

This time, the bears had to climb up lots of steep metal steps. At the top, they found a neat little cabin with lots of shiny brass and a big wheel for steering the boat.

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

‘You have to be very careful manoeuvring a big boat like The Danny’, Sam explained. ‘We had a bit of a bump at Weston Lock when we came in from the Ship Canal and now we're stuck on the Weaver until they've mended the lock!’ Sonning and his friends didn't like to ask whose fault it was, but they were sure it wasn't any of the bears.

Finally, when they had checked that their paws were very clean, Sam showed them the first-class lounge. There was another small bear there whose job was to polish the wood and shine the glasses behind the bar.

‘Tell your humans to pay us a visit tomorrow morning, when we're open to human visitors’, said

Sam, when the bears had finished looking around and talking to their new friends. ‘We will!’

Hanley promised.

When Polar and Grizzly got back to Uppie, the bears told them all about their adventures and, next morning, they visited too. Like most humans who visit, they think other humans run the ship, but Sonning, Hanley and Endon know that the real captain is a bear!

Article: Sonning Bear Photos: Sarah Honeysett Our planned 2021 – 2022 social programme includes a presentation about the restoration of the Daniel Adamson.

Advent, Balthazar (or Balthasar), Crackers, Ding-Dong, Eggnog, Frankincense, Gold, Holly, Icing, Jelly, Kettle, Labels, Myrrh, Norway, Organ, Poinsettia, Quandary, Robin, Snowballs, Truffles, Unwrapping, Villain, Wrapping, X-Ray, Yuletide, Zebra, (and lastly, don’t forget) Zest Answers to Christmas Quiz on page 13 Page 20

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C.J. Skelhorne Jewellery The Treasured Gift Let Us Help You Choose The Gift That Will Always Be Treasured *Diamond Rings *Gold & Silver *Watches & Watchstraps *Clocks *Pens *Gifts *Engraving Specialist Jewellery Repairs On the Premises • Watch and Clock Repairs • Pearl & Bead Stringing Silver Repairs & Plating • Valuations

01782 14 Piccadilly Arcade, 279547 Hanley, Stoke on Trent STI 1DL Winter 2020

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The Swan Inn Stafford Street, Stone Two minutes from bridge 93 at Star Lock

Serving 10 Real Ales & Scrumpy Cider Bar Snacks available

Beer Garden Page 22

KNOBSTICKS

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts President: Chris Skelhorne Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com

Newsletter Editor Roger Evans 01606 834471 newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0BL

Planning Deputy Chairmen VACANT Alison Smedley 01538 385388 (Use planning.nssc@waterways.org.uk) allie.smedley@waterways.org.uk Membership Officer Steve Wood 07976 805858 Roger Savage steve.wood@waterways.org.uk membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Alan Chetwyn (No Email)

Navigation Officer Jon Honeysett 01782 772295 01782 279277 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Burslem Port Work Party Secretary Steve Wood 07976 805858 Judith Turner 07789 518816 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk secretary.nssc@waterways.org.uk Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties Sales Officer Steve Wood 07976 805858 VACANT steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Use steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Cheshire Locks Work Party Social Secretary John Lawson 07940 878923 Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 john.lawson@waterways.org.uk socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk Other committee member: Publicity Officer Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 Julie Arnold publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk West Midlands Region Chairman Web and Social Media Officer: Helen Whitehouse 01543 491161 Peter Smedley 01538 385388 westmidlands@waterways.org.uk webmaster.nssc@waterways.org.uk The Branch committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at Stoke Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 9DU. All Branch members are invited to attend.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association, the West Midlands Region, or our Branch.

They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. © The Inland Waterways Association - Registered as a charity no. 212342 www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire Winter 2020 Page 23

Join Us on a Canal Work Party

Monthly Cheshire Locks work parties resumed in August, with an average of 8 volunteers each day. All 21 sections of railings round the bywash at Lock 65 (and 3 lock ladders) have been scraped to bare metal and 2 coats of white Hammerite paint applied. The hedge has been trimmed back and the concrete apron cleared of all moss and vegetation. The bottom gates on the offside lock chamber have been prepared and painted (including the paddle gear and balance beams). Other work completed: Bridge rails scraped and painted. Strapping posts (4) prepared and painted. Rails on the top gates of both chambers and paddle gear scraped and painted. Additional painting completed on Lock 66 – mooring posts and top gates. Area cleared of litter .

These work-parties are jointly organised with Trent and Mersey Canal Society on the 3rd Thursday of each month (except December), 10 to 3.

Contact: John Lawson (07940 878923) john.lawson@waterways.org.uk Burslem Port & Uttoxeter Canal work parties temporarily suspended Page 24

KNOBSTICKS